Cloud technology has become one of the most disruptive technologies of the digital age. By allowing organizations to access computing resources as needed, cloud providers have leveled the playing field for technology for businesses everywhere.

The dominant cloud services — Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud — provide a vast array of tools ranging from basic storage to cutting-edge analytics.

A major strengths of cloud computing is the ability to scale. Legacy server setups required large hardware costs. In the cloud era, organizations can start small and grow on demand.

Cybersecurity remains a top concern for businesses considering the cloud. While historical concerns assumed the cloud was riskier than on-premises systems, leading cloud services spend significantly in security controls.

The next chapter of cloud computing looks full of opportunity. Emerging trends such as hybrid cloud are bringing processing closer to the data source. As connectivity grows worldwide, cloud computing will be further integral to the global economy.